It is said that if a person is determined in his mind, then what cannot happen. His spirit conquers all obstacles. Something similar has been done by Harekala Hajba, a 66-year-old orange seller living in Mangaluru, Karnataka, who has been honored with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India this time. People affectionately call Harekala as ‘Akshara Santa’.
Working as a seller of oranges at Mangaluru Bus Depot
Talking to news agency ANI, Harekala told that he is not educated and has been working as a seller of oranges in Mangaluru Bus Depot since 1977. But he has done something which has become an example in the field of education. Harekala has revolutionized rural education by building a school in Newpadpu village. 175 underprivileged students of the village are taking education in his school.
How did the idea of opening a school come about?
The idea of setting up a school for Harekala in his village came in 1978 when a foreigner asked him the price of oranges but could not answer the foreigner. Because he did not know Hindi or English. He felt bad at that time and then he decided to build a school in the village.
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Dream fulfilled after 20 years
Harekala’s dream was seen to be fulfilled after nearly two decades in the year 2000. When he got the approval to open the school through former MLA Late Farid. Initially it started with 28 children, now 175 children are studying in school and getting education till 10th standard.
Harekala has come to be called ‘Akshara Santa’.
Harekala has come to be called ‘Akshara Santa’ in the area due to her public welfare works. He says that with the money received from various awards, he wants to open many schools and colleges in his village. Many people have also donated money. Apart from this, he has also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help in opening a college for the children of class 11th and 12th in his village.
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